Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, 6 August called on students across the state to move beyond conventional degrees and invest in specialised, skill-driven education to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market. Speaking at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, Sarma launched the distribution of application forms for two flagship student welfare schemes — the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Scheme and the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Scheme.

The Case for Specialised Skills

'The world today values specialists. An undergraduate or postgraduate degree alone is no longer sufficient. Students should develop expertise in an additional field to enhance their employability,' Sarma said at the event. He urged students to combine academic discipline with domain-specific skills, describing the undergraduate and postgraduate years as the most consequential phase of a student's life.

Sarma cautioned that success comes through dedication to learning rather than agitation, adding: 'Students should remain focused on academics, become seekers of knowledge and contribute to transforming society through education.'

Government's Recruitment and Employment Roadmap

On the employment front, Sarma said the state government plans to recruit approximately two lakh people over the next five years, including nearly 22,000 laboratory technicians, GNM nurses, and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs). He reaffirmed the government's commitment to merit-based hiring, noting that 1.60 lakh government jobs had been filled on merit during the current administration's tenure, with future appointments assured to remain corruption-free.

Sarma also flagged low enrolment in science education as a concern, arguing that greater student interest in science is essential for Assam's long-term economic and social progress.

Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu Schemes

The Nijut Moina Scheme, originally designed to discourage child marriage by supporting girls' education financially, is expected to cover five lakh beneficiaries during the current financial year. The Nijut Babu Scheme, its counterpart for male students, will support 1.20 lakh students following its recent expansion. Both schemes aim to deepen academic commitment and encourage sustained enrolment at the higher education level.

Flood Relief for Schools and Students

In a separate announcement, Sarma said the state government would transfer ₹15.86 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 793 flood-affected schools in the districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat. An additional ₹4.26 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund will reach 21,025 students in Sivasagar and Charaideo to replace study materials damaged in recent floods.

The Chief Minister added that schools which suffered permanent structural damage would receive further assistance after a detailed assessment, with the government committed to restoring educational infrastructure without disrupting students' academic continuity.

What Comes Next

With application forms now open for both schemes and flood-relief funds already committed, the immediate focus shifts to disbursement timelines and enrolment targets. How effectively the state converts these announcements into measurable outcomes — particularly on science enrolment and merit-based recruitment — will determine whether the push for skill-driven education translates into lasting change for Assam's students.